Juventude vs Criciúma Predictions: Juventude has yet to lose at home

The Brasileirão enters its second half this weekend with only three teams unbeaten at home. Surprisingly, Juventude is one of them. The Gaúchos return home after three games away from Caxias do Sul and will look to beat a direct opponent.

If the Ju is a fearsome team at home, things are very different on the road. In the last round, Jair Ventura's men lost 2-0 to Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte and are still winless away from home. The mission wasn't easy because the Miners had won all their home matches. Juventude managed to block Cruzeiro's attack most of the time, but two penalties for handball dictated the final result. The Gaúchos haven't won in three games and are currently in 12th place.

The Tiger hasn't won in five games and is getting dangerously close to the relegation zone. Only three points now separate Criciúma from Gremio, the first team in the Z4. The Catarinenses drew 1-1 at home to Fortaleza after opening the scoring in the 21st minute through Miguel Trauco. In the second half, Fortaleza reacted and equalized in the 63rd minute, with Argentine Lucero scoring his eighth goal in the competition. Both goals came from set pieces in an even contest. Criciúma now has a tricky game against Juventude in Caxias do Sul. Tencati's men have two away wins in the league, but they lost their last four games on the road.

In the opening round of the Brasileirão, the meeting between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. In the first half of the season, Juventude was slightly better than Criciúma, picking up three more points and maintaining an unbeaten home record. The departure of coach Roger Machado to Internacional was unexpected and a blow to Juventude. Jair Ventura, his replacement, hasn't won in his two matches in charge. It will be a surprise if Criciúma wins in Caxias do Sul, but a draw won't be outrageous. I'm therefore betting on a Double Chance in favor of Juventude with a maximum of three goals scored in the game.